Dorset planners are being asked to approve a security fence for a Dorchester school – despite the concerns of some neighbours and town councillors.

The green metal fence, for St Osmund's Middle School, has been reduced in height in some areas, compared to the original proposal.

One town councillor described the 2.4metre tall green metal fence as 'prison-like,' an opinion shared by one of the neighbours to the 10 acre school site.

A section of the proposed fence, close to Standfast Walk, will now be reduced to 1.8 metres and moved further away from homes, within the school grounds, in response to public comments on the proposals.

Dorset Council's area planning committee meets online next Tuesday, March 23, when councillors are being recommended to approve the application which the school claims is necessary to improve security for pupils.

The school has said that it will not change the density of the fencing to improve light levels – saying that if it had larger holes in it, people would be able to climb over.

Town councillor Rory Major has suggested that the school consider a planting scheme to run alongside the fence which would soften its appearance.

There has also been a request for the new fencing to include small ground level holes to allow hedgehogs to continue travelling through the area at night, something which the revised application now includes.

The proposed works include cutting back some trees and the widening of some school paths.

Planning officers, in a report to the committee, say the fence design is considered acceptable and would not cause 'significant harm' to neighbours. They say there is no reason to refuse it.

The meeting will be told that five letters were received about the application – one supporting and two neither objecting or supporting, but making comments about aspects of the proposal.

Among the points raised was the height of the fence close to Standfast Walk, the overbearing impact and loss of light and the potential to affect wildlife, especially hedgehogs.